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Scored more tries than their opponents in all seven matchesHigh scrum retention rate, losing only one of 38 put-insBest ruck retention rateScored 39 tries that originated in their own half, more than any other teamScored more tries from their own lineout than any other team, their most successful origin of tries and far greater than any other teamTier two teams scored 30 per cent more tries against tier one teams in 2015 than in 2011Japan and USA were the only teams that had a 100 per cent success on their own scrumsTonga had more possession than their opponents in all four matchesFiji were the most successful team in winning opponents’ scrumsNamibia’s four tries from turnovers were exceeded by only two other teams – and they also had the second-best kick at goal rateEMERGING NATIONS CHALLENGING THE ELITEOne of the enduring and most celebrated highlights were the performances of the likes of Japan, Namibia, Georgia and Romania, who inspired and captured hearts and minds with their performances across the pool phase with a fairer match schedule, longer preparation time and greater investment in technical structures by major contributors.NEW ZEALAND WERE WORTHY CHAMPIONS30 WORLD RUGBY YEAR IN REVIEW 2015